Record numbers expected on Super Tuesday

AUGUSTA, Ga.---A prisoner of war, a former governor, a female, and an African American are all front-runners in the race for the White House. But Super Tuesday is expected to narrow the field. News 12 has a look at what locals are doing to get out the vote.

"Reality is, tomorrow is Super Tuesday, and you have got to get out and vote tomorrow," local radio personality Miss Monique said. "You really don't have no excuse." Miss Monique is taking her get out the vote campaign to the airwaves. "I don't care who you vote for, just go out and vote so at least you'll know you tried to make things better."

It's that feeling of making things better that drives 90-year-old Mrs. Veta Messer out to the polls. "It's been a priority. I was raised to do that," she said.

The Augusta NAACP branch is looking to inspire a new generation of voters with their "arrive with five" campaign. "Take, call, or connect with five or more citizens in and around the country," said Dr. Charles Smith.

As community leaders like Miss Monique and Dr. Smith work on getting voters out to the polls, Travis Doss with the Richmond County Board of Elections office was busy getting the polling locations ready. "People say, 'Oh you're so busy on Tuesday.' Well, we've been busy for quite a while. So, it's not just a one day thing. It takes a lot of time to make one day happen."

430 voting machines went out to 52 different polling locations in preparation for over 30,000 voters on Super Tuesday. "You know, although some people would argue that that's not that great of a turnout, but by comparison for this type of election it is quite good," said Lynn Bailey, director of the Board of Elections.

And there are some in the community who would like to see even more people heading to the polls. "It's very important...young, old, black, white, everybody get out and vote so that next year you will not be complaining," said Miss Monique.

30% of voters in Columbia County are expected to turn out on Super Tuesday. That means 22,000 people.

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